Chickling Pea
Lathyrus sativusfam. Fabaceae
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Pl. 8596 — Lathyrus sativus
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IOverview
Overview
Chickling Pea (Lathyrus sativus) is an annual vine and herb native to Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. Known for its edible parts including leaves, seed, seedpod, and shoots, this plant thrives in moist conditions with a soil pH of 7–7.5, growing up to 0.6 meters tall. Its preference for light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils makes it adaptable but particularly suited to environments where moisture is consistent. Chickling Pea's distinctive feature lies in its ability to contribute both nutritionally and ornamentally, making it a valuable addition to gardens and agricultural landscapes in its native range.
Quick answers
What is Chickling Pea?
Chickling Pea (Lathyrus sativus) is an annual vine and herb native to Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. Known for its edible parts including leaves, seed, seedpod, and shoots, this plant thrives in moist conditions with a soil pH of 7–7.5, growing up to 0.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Chickling Pea thrives in light to medium soil and prefers a slightly alkaline pH of 7-7.5. It requires moist conditions but can tolerate various soil types, from sandy to clay. This annual vine grows up to 0.6 meters tall and is hardy in temperate regions. For best results, plant chickling pea seeds in full sun or partial shade. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. Harvest leaves, shoots, and seedpods for culinary use. SKIP
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Vine, Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Chickling Pea for the first time
8steps
Start with Chickling Pea as a simple, rewarding project for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds, a garden or large container, soil, water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH of 7–7.5. Ensure containers are at least 30 cm deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep, spacing them about 15 cm apart. Provide support for climbing vines.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and monitor for pests like aphids.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Fertilize lightly with compost every few months.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune vines to encourage bushiness and remove dead leaves. Harvest young shoots and pods for eating.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, not providing support, neglecting to prune, sowing too deep.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSeedSeedpodShoots
Edible uses: Chickling peas are versatile and can be eaten in various forms. The leaves, shoots, and seedpods are often consumed raw or cooked as a vegetable. The seeds can also be dried and used whole or ground into flour for baking. Typically, all parts are prepared by boiling or steaming to ensure proper cooking.
Other uses:Cover cropErosion controlNitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
2 native · 28 introduced
Distribution
2 native · 28 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 2 native· 28 introduced
Europe5 regions
native (1)Bulgaria
introduced (4)PortugalRussiaSpainUkraine
Asia5 regions
introduced (5)BangladeshChinaIndiaMyanmarNepal
Americas1 region
introduced (1)Haiti
Africa1 region
introduced (1)Ethiopia
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia
introduced:Baltic States, Buryatiya, Jawa, Chita, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Maryland, Queensland
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Fabaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Fabaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
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XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 8596bfc6-0aa6-456a-88b8-712a61dbe5ec
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